Sheffield United: Defender ready for immediate return

David Edgar is available for selection today
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James Shield

Published:05:59Saturday 02 April 2016

David Edgar will declare himself available for selection against Walsall today despite returning from international duty with Canada less than 48 hours ago.

The Sheffield United centre-half missed the games against Crewe Alexandra and Southend after being named in the 23 man party which faced Mexico over two-legs last month.

David Edgar was part of the Canada squad which faced Mexico at the Azteca Stadium earlier this week

But, citing his experience of coping with trans-Atlantic flights, Edgar said: “Jet-leg isn’t really an issue for me, I usually come back ready to play. Representing my country means that making these type of journeys is now pretty much second nature. We get looked after well and, the more you do it, you get to know the things that help you recover more quickly.”

Canada's first game against Mexico was in Vancouver

But the 28-year-old could find his path back into the starting eleven blocked by Harrison McGahey and Alex Baptiste after the latter recovered from a hamstring complaint.

Although Edgar’s availability is a welcome boost for Adkins following Wednesday’s defeat at Roots Hall, the fact Canada coach Benito Floro asked the defender to cross eight time zones and travel 14338 miles only to leave him in the stands for both games has not been well received by United’s coaching staff. Especially as United’s hopes of reaching the League One play-offs have effectively disappeared in his absence.

“David is back in the country now,” Crosby said. “Albeit after not getting the game-time he will have wanted.”

Baptiste, Edgar’s fellow loanee, completed United’s final training session after being eased back into action on Monday but John Brayford could be set to miss the remainder of the campaign after scans revealed the extent of his calf injury.

“It’s a grade two tear,” Crosby said. “How long it takes to recover depends on a variety of factors, not least how quickly the individual heals.”